In his day John Knowles Paine (1839 - 1906) was considered the "Dean of American composers." Born into Portland's rich 19th-century music scene, Paine completed a composition for string quartet at 16, came under the influence of Maine's Music Tzar Hermann Kotzchmar and then studied in Germany. In 1861 he returned to America, settled in Boston, and in the 1870's, founded the music department at Harvard College. Paine's role as an educator was matched by artistic creativity, notably in his "Mass in D," 1867, "Oratorio of St. Peter" (premiered in Portland) 1873; "In the Spring" (Second Symphony) 1880, and "An Island Fantasy," 1888. The latter was a symphonic poem inspired by the Isles of Shoals writer Celia Thaxter and Shoal paintings by John Appleton Brown. Though his music went out of style in the mid-20th century, Paine's music came back into fashion through new recordings after 1976. Now considered one of the most important and influence pioneers in American music, his best work has been compared to Charles Ives and Aaron Copland.